Floor level balance training strip

ABSTRACT

The floor level balance training strip of this invention relates to a gymnastics balance beam. More particularly, the invention relates to a balance training device that will attach to a flat horizontal carpeted or correlating surface thus providing a non-skid linear surface upon which a person may stand, walk or tumble. 
     The invention is comprised of an elongated material strip having opposite ends, an upper surface and a correlating base composed of an adhesive hook fastening element. The hook fastening element located on the underside or base of the floor level balance training strip is used to attach the floor level balance training strip to a carpeted or otherwise compatible flat surface to sufficiently maintain it in a horizontal position. The invention uses a thin strip of loop fastening element to one end so the strip will remain coiled when rolled for stowage.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART

Although balance beams are well known in the field of gymnastics, suchbeams are of a square or rectangular cross section, and are in typicaluse, positioned several feet above the ground and have had no knownuseful application for therapeutic medicine. U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,189 toLane/Squibb (1999) discloses a raised gymnastics balance beam apparatuscommonly associated to the sport of gymnastics.

The disadvantage to a standard gymnastics balance beam is the weight andlarge size of the apparatus. At 16′5″ in length the regulationgymnastics balance beam is not conducive for home use nor is itportable. It is commonly known that one may utilize a 4″×4″ wood beamcut to shorter lengths to use in the home. While this is useful, it doespose the dilemma of how to stow the long wooden device when not in use.Again this wooden device is not truly a convenient and portable tool forthe user. Both of the mentioned prior art are composed of non-flexiblematerials such as wood or steel. It is believed that a lightweight andflexible device as described and claimed herein has not been known priorto the present invention.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention a floor level balance trainingstrip comprises a flat, flexible, elongate body having a fasteningelement base and a corresponding surface material and is ofpredetermined length and width being adapted to lie flat along a flathorizontal surface. Said device also includes a strip of loop fasteningmaterial at one surface end to provide a self attaching mechanism whenstowing said device.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present inventionare:

-   -   (a) to provide a floor level balance training strip for        conditioning, training and enhancing balancing skills.    -   (b) to provide an amusement device for young toddlers and        beginner gymnasts as they practice motor skill development.    -   (c) to provide a lightweight, portable training balance strip        for use at home, gym, school or office environments.    -   (d) to assist the user with building confidence while reducing        the risk of injury as the floor level surface reduces the fear        of falling.    -   (e) to provide a flexible, floor level balance training strip        that allows for easy storage and transport.    -   (f) to provide gymnasts, gym owners and additional users a cost        effective option to purchasing a raised balance beam apparatus.    -   (g) to provide a floor level balance training strip that could        be useful in the fields of motor skill development and        therapeutic medicine.    -   (h) to provide a floor level balance training strip that will        fasten to a surface and remain stationary and not slide or scoot        when walked upon.    -   (i) to provide a floor level balance training strip in various        lengths and widths to correlate with the experience of the user        and the space requirement of the area it will be used.        These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the        art.

DRAWINGS Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a floor level balance training stripaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial view illustrating the assembly of corresponding topmaterial (i.e. PVC Suede) and lower pressure sensitive/self adhesivehook prior to sewing.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section view of the non-loop end of the stripshowing both top and lower surfaces with stitching.

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the loop end showing the ¼ inch wide loopmaterial across one end of the floor level balance training strip.

FIG. 5 is a stowed view thereof; with the loop attached to the hook baseafter rolling the invention into a coiled position.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   -   10. Top surface material    -   11. Representative Stitching (thread)    -   12. Loop strip    -   13. Representative of Hook base surface    -   14. Representative of Adhesive material surface

DESCRIPTION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the floor level balance training strip isillustrated in FIG. 1 (top view), FIG. 2 (application of correlatinglayers), FIG. 3 (Partial view of the device showing the non-loop end),FIG. 4 (Partial view of the device showing the loop end) and FIG. 5 (astowed view thereof, illustrating loop attached to hook fastener).

The preferred embodiment of this device is 4 inches wide, to simulatethe same width of a regulation gymnastics balance beam. However, thefloor level balance training strip can be manufactured anywhere from 1inch to 12 inches in width depending on user preference. For instance,the device could be made 6 inches wide for toddlers and young gymnasts.In addition, the length could vary from 6 ft. to 20 ft. in length.However, in the best design the length is 16′5″ as that is the length ofa standard competition gymnastics balance beam.

The process of making the floor level balance training strip consists ofthe following:

-   -   (a) Cut with scissors an elongated piece of the pressure        sensitive/adhesive hook fastening element to the predetermined        length. This is the base material. (13)        Different widths of hook fastener can be used, however in the        preferred design it is 4 inches wide and is available at Excel        Sewing Supply L.L.C. of Passaic, N.J.    -   (b) Cut correlating surface material to the same predetermined        measurements.

The surface material in the preferred embodiment of the floor levelbalance training device consists of Beluga PVC Suede available atSommers Plastics Products Co. Inc. of Clifton, N.J.

The preferred design uses PVC suede due to its texture and durability.Additionally, the appearance and feel of the fabric is most similar tothat of a standard regulation gymnastics balance beam apparatus.

Other surface materials could be used for manufacture such as cloth,leather, suede, plastic, rubber and vinyl of various weights. Forinstance, an additional choice of surface medium is 29 oz. vinylavailable at Spradling International, Inc. of Pelham, Ala.

-   -   (c) Remove the layer of paper on the hook fastening element base        to expose the pressure sensitive/adhesive material. (14).        The balance training strip can be manufactured without using a        pressure sensitive/adhesive fastening element. However, the        adhesive is preferred as this allows the surface material to        remain fastened to the base material and prevents the surface        material from lifting when walked upon.    -   (d) Apply the underside of the PVC suede to the base adhesive        (14) working down the length of the adhesive strip to the end.        (FIG. 2) At this point, the floor level balance training strip        consists of a single merged hook fastening element base with a        PVC suede top.    -   (e) Trim the opposite short ends to create a clean, straight        edge.    -   (f) Using a sewing machine straight stitch a perimeter around        the strip at ¼ inch from the edge using 16 oz bonded nylon        thread commercially available from Excel Sewing Supply LLC. (11)

The perimeter stitching is done at ¼ inch from the edge; however,stitching could be at any predetermined distance from the perimeteredge. The best working and thus preferred design is at ¼ inch. Thethread can be of any color to match or contrast the color or material ofthe surface strip. Again, color has no bearing on the function of thedevice. Other thread weights can be used, however, the best design ofthis device uses the 16 oz bonded nylon thread because of itsdurability.

Other design of stitching methods could be used such as zig-zag . . .However, this is a design preference much like color and has no bearingon the function or operation of the overall invention.

-   -   (g) FIG. 4 Shows the application of the ¼″ wide and 4″ long        strip of pressure sensitive loop fastening element to one end of        the floor level balance strip. (12).        -   Peel paper from the pressure sensitive loop fastening            element to reveal the adhesive. Press strip to the end of            the beam. Sew the loop strip to the floor level balance            training strip for further adherence. This pressure            sensitive 4 inch wide loop fastener is available at Excel            Sewing Supply LLC. Again color is based on preference and            has no bearing on the operation or function of the            invention.

Any predetermined width of loop strip can be used, however, thepreferred design and best embodiment uses ¼ inch wide loop cut to thepredetermined width of the floor level balance training strip.Additionally, a circle or other shape of loop material could besubstituted; however, the best working design is the ¼ inch wide stripof loop fastening element.

Operation

This floor-level balance strip operates by unrolling the device onto aflat carpeted or otherwise similar material horizontal surface. (FIG. 1)The hook material will grip the carpet, or other floor materialsubstance and provide a flat non-skid elongate surface on which the usercan practice balance while standing, walking or tumbling.

To stow the beam, the user simply “jelly-rolls” the floor level balancetraining strip by rolling lengthwise, beginning at the non-loop end andattaching the loop fastening end to the hook base when completelyrolled. (FIG. 5)

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the floor level balance trainingstrip can be a versatile balance training device for all ages. Byapplying it to a carpeted, or otherwise material surface it provides atemporary, portable means for the user to practice balance by walking,standing and tumbling. Furthermore, it provides the following advantagesin that

-   -   It assists to build confidence while reducing the risk of injury        due to its low profile.    -   It is lightweight.    -   It has a self contained method of closure.    -   It is a cost effective solution for home, gym, school or office.    -   It can have possible applications to developing motor skills and        therapeutic medicine.    -   It provides amusement for toddlers while allowing them to        develop balance.

Although the description above contains much specificity, this shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodimentsof this invention.

For example, the floor level balance training strip surface could beslightly elevated from the floor due to the thickness of the fasteningbase and surface material used. In addition, the length, width, colorand shape of the invention can vary depending on the preference of theuser.

For instance, the competitive gymnast might prefer the embodiment of theinvention in the PVC suede at 4 inches width and 16′5″ length. Apreschool might prefer the embodiment of the invention using 29 ozvinyl, and 6 inches wide by 8 feet in length in the color Red.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

1. A floor level balance training device comprising: (a) an elongate,generally rectangular horizontal flat body of flexible material having apredetermined width of 4 inches so as to have reference to a standardgymnastics balance beam apparatus. (b) said device utilizing a base hookfastening element merged with a flexible surface material along thepredetermined length, being adapted to lie flat along a flat, horizontalcarpet like surface to thus maintain said device in a stable position.2. A method of using the floor level balance training strip in claim 1comprising the steps of: (a) Rolling said device onto a surfacesufficiently flat and having sufficient means and surface area tomaintain the floor level balance training strip in a stable position andpracticing balance motor skills such as standing, walking or tumblingalong said surface. (b) Rolling said elongate body and attachingcorresponding loop fastening element to maintain said device in thecoiled self-attached position.